As we saw it happen between
University professors and
their female students, that
is how it happens between
Corpers serving in secondary schools
and their female students. That is how it
also happens between Senior students or
school prefects in secondary schools and
their JSS 3 or SS1 female students.
As we saw it happen between pastors/
priests and their parishioners, that is
how it happens between a boss and his
secretary or subordinate. That is how it
happens between an Oga in a big house
and his house help. That is how it hap-
pens between those that own hotels and
the females employed by them.
In all these scenarios, the common
denominators are the same: power,
social status, decayed morals, lack of
repercussion.
After our priestly ordination, our dean
of students then, Rev Fr Patrick Akekpe
MSP, called all of us, the newly ordained
and gave us this advice from his heart
which has remained with me. I will
paraphrase based on how I understood
him:
“All these while you have been semi-
narians, women may not have noticed
you. It is not because you are not cute
and attractive. No! Women are mostly
attracted to men in power and men
who have social and economic security.
Fortunately or Unfortunately for you,
the priesthood comes with both and
even more.
“You too, you may not have noticed
some women or girls. . . Not because
you don’t see them, being a seminarian
may have restricted you. But you will
soon start seeing them once you become
conscious of those powers and social
status and freedom that come with the
priesthood you just received. And don’t
forget, being a priest does not remove
your human feelings.
“Be disciplined! Be careful! You were
ordained to create change, not to be
changed.”
Anytime I reflect on those words, I find
them very deep. Truth is, in a position of
authority or with financial security and
maybe secrecy, our real persons come out.
As I keep saying, you may not truly
understand what you will be capable of
doing when it comes to sex if you are still
in your parents’ house or staying with
someone. No power/authority. No money.
You eat free food. They wake you up for
prayers. And your life is so monitored that
even if you want to see any girl, you can’t
have privacy.
You will start understanding these
things once you have power. A job that
places you at a higher position and gives
you financial security and social status. A
car of your own. A nice house. And how
people in the office or classroom address
you as “Sir.”
This is where the real test of who you
are comes out. That ugly act from those
university lecturers you saw on BBC
documentary might also be living in you,
only that you have not been placed in a
position where it can come out.
And so I say to you, be disciplined, be
careful, you are meant to create a positive
change in our society, don’t let the society
change who you are.
